KLOOTO's Amazing NONOGRAMS: Vol. II Paperback – May 1, 2016

For anyone having the usual trouble with pixel puzzles (and all other a.k.a's of this type) Klooto is an excellent place to start. These puzzles generally have something that those in other pixel-puzzle collections, or syndicated magazines, do not: CONSISTENCY. Klooto provides enough opening clues giving blocks that can be locked in at the outset, in turn providing connections for "going the other way", as in a located horizontal block providing useful info for the vertical columns, and vice-versa. Rather than being shipwrecked by those next-to-impossible 50-60 square monsters in the magazines, or the frustrating deceptive smaller layouts which require trial-and-error (mostly the latter), Klooto's clue numbers link up together enough as to be able to circumvent too much guesswork. The "hurray" feeling of row/column fill-ins jibing we get here is much more desirable than discovering the whole picture is loused up by even one inconsistent or unconnected clue pair.There are 4 general difficulty levels here: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Brutal. The latter are few and far between, but even they are more navigable than those in many other publications. Even if something does prove to be out of place when filled in, Klooto's clues are close by and consistent enough to uncover the mistake before careening to a point-of-no-return (or sanity).As well, the diagrams, clue numbers, and pixel squares are large enough to see without squinting, or to get Excedrin Headache #216. The paper, although impeached by another reviewer as "see-thru" marker-prone, is more than adequate if using a pencil and eraser, which is still more advisable here. Klooto offers many sizes and dimensions of the puzzles, as well; smaller ones nearer the beginning of each volume good for practice.Only one drawback: Unlike most other pixel-puzzle collections, and magazines, Klooto doesn't provide captions of the finished pictures in the answer sections. OK, the majority of images is obvious, such as Superman's Cape logo, girl lying on sand, or doctor's Red Cross medical satchel, but there are more than several "whatziz"'s, especially among the smaller size puzzles.Klooto publishes other puzzle collections as well, including 2 volumes of "Fill-aPix" in which the numbered clues are WITHIN the puzzle grid rather than surrounding it, and several pleasing Crypto-Games. I would like to see Klooto release compilations of what's called "Cross-aPix" puzzles (termed by Conceptis Puzzles) in which the numerical clues again surround, but here the grid is jigsawed into small "cage" areas, similar to those in a KenKen or CalcuDoku puzzle. Cross-aPix comes in two related versions, defined by the arrangement of numerical clues: one which details only the total number of (adjacent or not) blackened cells in a row or column; the other indicating how many separate blocks there are as well as the total to be filled in.

Pros: Good overall. Great variety of difficulty and size throughout the entire book.Cons: markers and highlighters bleed through pages. Some of the puzzles have too many rows or columns that are just 0.

The puzzles are okay. I guess. Though I was disappointed to find that these are Japanese-style pictorial puzzles. My preference is for random ones.The book, itself, is a problem, though. It is tightly bound, which makes it difficult to fold it around and hold it in one hand while working the puzzle with the other. Because of this and of the weight of the book, my hand begins to ache after a few minutes. The problem, really, is that the book is too high-quality. The puzzles would be easier to work if the book were made of cheaper, thinner paper or if it were spiral bound.

The puzzles have large enough squares and fonts to easily track the rows and columns. The puzzles can be figured out by logic rather than guessing.

Each puzzle is a picture. Too much time was spent trying to force a picture and not enough into making a good puzzle. These are not difficult. If you want really easy puzzles where most of the boxes are X'ed out at the start then this is for you. If you want an actual challenge then I suggest you look elsewhere.

A lot of fun. But be careful! These puzzles are addditive!!

I am crazy about nonograms, griddlers, fill-a-pix puzzles - whatever you choose to call them. It is great to find such a variety of books available at a very reasonable price. If you have never tried these puzzles but enjoy any type of mathematic or logic puzzle, I encourage you to try one of these books. The easy puzzles in the beginning of the book provide a really good basis for learning the basic logic, and the challenging puzzles can leave you completely stumped for days.

My husband has a blast with those, got him a couple of different ones for christmas. You have to use pencils though, markers bleed right through the page.

Product as stated

This one I'm finding much too easy, and I prefer smaller "boxes" to shade in.